Industry Terminology

There are over 500,000 different advertising and promotional products available that you can have your logo imprinted, embroidered, etched, engraved, stamped or printed. Every item has different requirements for personalization. The following term definitions have been established to assist you in understanding the many variables associated with advertising specialty products. 

Camera-Ready Art

The imprint quality on your order depends upon the artwork supplied with it. Camera-ready art is black and white line art on flat photographic paper. The artwork should be at 600 dpi or higher laser print quality, preferable at 200 % of final size. A glossy, fine grain paper works better than matte copier paper. Artwork for multi-color imprints must include black and white color-separated art with registration marks for each color. Always include a color composite with your order to insure correct colors on the final product. You can also e-mail your artwork to appleadvertising@aol.com.

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Art Charge

If camera-ready artwork is not available, an art charge will be assessed to make the design camera-ready. This is a per hour charge. Please consult your sales representative for more information. Directions Unlimited can perform minor artwork touch-up at no charge to the customer.

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PMS Color Matching

A patented printing ink color matching system involving a range of stock colors with which, by intermixing in a prescribed combination and amounts, an ink mixer can obtain a wide range of tints, tones, shadings, and intermediate hues. PMS matching is not available on pad printed, hot stamped, engraved or transfer process orders. Additional charges are incurred for PMS color matching because of the extra labor involved in mixing the inks.

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Imprint Area/Sizes or Dimensions

Every product has different sized imprint areas. The imprint area is the maximum area of a product that can be imprinted with your logo/design. As an example: an ink pen might have an imprint area of 1/4" X 2". A coffee mug might have an imprint area of 2" X 3". It is important that you speak with a salesperson to determine the imprint area for each product.

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Silkscreen Imprint

Silkscreen-imprinting is a printing technique which involves the passage of ink through a taut fabric to which ad copy has been burned /applied. The openings in the screen determine the form and dimensions of the imprint.

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Pad Printing

Pad printing is the method of transferring images from a photo-engraved plate made of steel or plastic, to a round or irregular surface via a silicone rubber pad. The plate, or cliche, is filled with ink between each impression.

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Puff Print

Puff printing is achieved when an ink is heated to specific temperatures for a definite period of time and achieves a three-dimensionality quality by expansion.

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Embroidery

A design or logo stitched onto a material through the use of high speed, computer controlled sewing machines. The design is reproduced with a tightly stitched thread. Embroidery costs are determined by the stitch count of a design (the number of stitches to complete the design), a running charge and a tape charge. The running charge is the stitch count price multiplied by the number of items to be embroidered. The embroidery tape charge is a one-time charge per design, which includes the computer instructions that tell the sewing machine how to duplicate the design.

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Engraving

Engraving is the cutting or etching of designs or letters on metal, wood, brass or other materials. Engraving charges vary with the method of engraving that is used. Consult our sales staff for more information.

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Epoxy Dome

Epoxy dome is a generic term for a group of thermosetting resins having strong adhesive qualities that exhibit good adhesion properties to hard surfaces such as metal.

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Hot Stamping

The embossing of a product with the addition of foil; a method of printing which uses hot metal die plates to impress a foil on the surface of the product to be printed.

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Minimum Quantities

Most manufacturers have a minimum quantity that they will manufacture. The minimums are clearly stated in the manufacturer literature. Some manufacturers offer less than minimum quantities for an additional charge. Please inquire with our sales staff for more information.

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Clothing/Fabrics

Custom logo'd clothing has been the fastest growing segment of the advertising specialty industry. When purchasing clothing several questions need to be addressed; style of clothing; fabric/weave or blended fabrics; sizes S - XXXL+; colors and designs; silk screen or embroidery or combination; packaging requirements or individual poly bagging; in-hand need date and production time; logo colors and art work. Our professional sales group will be able to walk you through this maze of information and provide products that meet your requirements and budget.

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Screen Charge

The screen charge is for the set-up of the screen used for imprinting or silk-screening a customer's message or logo on an item. This is normally a one-time only charge. There is generally no charge if the same imprint is used again for re-orders of the same item. Some manufacturers do charge a setup fee for reorders so please consult us for more information.

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Die Charge

The die charge is for the set-up of a die. Dies are generally used for metal objects, such as coins or key fobs, etc. This charge is basically the same as a screen charge. Die struck or minted items usually require longer production times than other products.

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Change of Copy

When a customer requests different messages or logos on different quantities of the same item, a change of copy charge is incurred. This allows the customer to receive lower per-piece price for an item because it is based on total quantities of items ordered.

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Additional Color Running Charge

This charge is incurred when more than one color is used for imprint on an item. The charges vary with each manufacturer. Consult your sales representative for more information.

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Second Side Imprint Charges

Second side imprint charges are incurred for a double-sided imprint or silk screening. This charge is for the additional labor involved in handling the item more than one time. Running charges are also charged for the second side imprint.

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Freight and Shipping Charges

Actual freight charges will be invoiced at costs. Freight charges vary depending on where the manufacturer is located and from where the product is shipped. Estimated shipping costs are available upon request.

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Paper Proof

Paper proofs are available upon request. Some manufacturers charge for the paper proof of your design before manufacture.

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Pre-production Sample

Pre-production samples are available for large orders. A pre-production charge for set-up to produce one item is costly but if required is available.

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Clothing Samples

Clothing samples that are not imprinted are available to determine quality and craftsmanship. Clothing samples are billed at the per each price and must be paid for in advance of shipping.

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Production Time

Production time varies with each item and the production capabilities of the manufacturer. Once artwork is finished, production time for most products ia about 3 weeks (15 business days). This includes shipping. Rush orders or short lead time requirements must be confirmed before the order is placed. Please consult your sales representative for more information.

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